In 2014, Iowa became one of a few states to legalize the possession and use of cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive extract naturally found in marijuana plants. Even then, use of cannabidiol is limited to patients with intractable epilepsy and the law only provides for an affirmative defense for individuals and their caregivers if they are charged with possession of the extract. For the rest of the state, marijuana possession and sale remain illegal in Iowa. Selling marijuana in the state is a felony, punishable by up to 50 years in prison depending on the amount of marijuana, the location of the sale, and the criminal history of the defendant.

The Iowa Legislature adjourned its 2015 session on June 5, leaving multiple marijuana policy reform bills on the table. However, the Senate voiced its support for both medical marijuana and reducing penalties for marijuana possession, giving potential medical patients and marijuana policy reform advocates hope that 2016 will bring necessary changes to the state’s laws.

The 2015 session saw the Iowa Senate vote 26-19 in support of a compassionate and comprehensive medical marijuana proposal! The bill would have built on the Medical Cannabidiol Act enacted in 2014. It sought to allow Iowans suffering from a variety of debilitating conditions — including HIV/AIDS, cancer, MS, and epilepsy — to use and safely access medical marijuana with their doctors’ recommendations. Unfortunately, despite popular support for the proposal, the House failed to debate the issue.

In addition to passing legislation to protect medical marijuana patients from arrest and prosecution, the Iowa Senate approved legislation that would have reduced the penalties for possessing marijuana. The maximum sentence for possessing up to five grams of marijuana would have been reduced to 30 days in jail. This would have been a big improvement upon the status quo, which calls for up to six months in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both for possessing even a single gram of marijuana. The House also failed to debate this bill, so it is important that all Iowans continue to email their lawmakers in support of reducing marijuana possession penalties.

Iowa Cannabis News

The momentum for legalizing industrial hemp in America is building. Iowa supporters of the once-prevalent crop, though, have moved on from being eager about its possibilities to anxious to get growing.

All websites, mobile apps, and software for use by MjLink™ are owned and managed by Social Life Network, Inc. To contact the following departments, dial 1-844-420-4208 - Sales: Ext. #2 - Support: Ext. #3 - Investor Relations: Ext. #6

By using this website, you agree and understand that, by law: You MUST be at least 21 years of age to view any content on this website. To view the complete Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for this website, Click Here!